Legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent bid adieu to the fashion world on Monday, leaving the eponymous firm and ending an era during which he became the king of haute couture. And now he has explained why.
“I have nothing in common with this new world of fashion, which has been reduced to mere window-dressing,” the 65-year-old designer told Paris Match magazine. “Elegance and beauty have been banished.”
Yves, who headed the Dior empire aged 21, says he is weary after a career spanning more than four decades. “You are never sure of yourself in this trade,” he admits. “You constantly learn new things. And you constantly have to surpass yourself.”
Industry watchers had suspected Yves would retire this year, as rumours proliferated of his ill-health and a continued feud with parent company Gucci. Speaking at his retirement press conference on Monday, the celebrated designer noticeably omitted the fashion empire from his list of thank yous.
Gucci acquired YSL in 1999, and in hindsight the marriage was perhaps ill conceived. Wunderkind Tom Ford took over the YSL ready-to-wear line, allowing Yves the chance to focus on haute couture. However, Yves reportedly found the Gucci Group too business minded and may have been upset with its revamp of the house he had created.
In retiring, Yves said his only regret was leaving behind the seamstresses who crafted his famous haute couture gowns.
“I feel like a dove that has been stabbed,” he said. “This house was built on love. That’s what I will miss.”
The designer presents his final collection on January 23. “I haven’t travelled much,” he says pondering his new-found free time. “I would like to discover Egypt, India.”
For more on Yves Saint Laurent, check out HELLO!’s profile on the designer.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
